Michael Van Clarke Salon

[unpaid/complimentary treatment/ad] It’s not often I go into London for a hair-cut – in fact, apart from a cheeky trim at the Body Shop shampoo launch, I cannot remember the last time. But on Friday I had a London day – went into Selfridges to look at the counters (Charlotte Tilbury heaving, Pat McGrath empty) and then did the same at John Lewis but didn’t make it to Flannels because I ran out of time. It’s important to see beauty in real life because you can get a bit tunnel vision-ed if you never look outwards. At the same time I visited the Michael Van Clarke (he of 3 More Inches fame) salon just off Marylebone High Street for a cut and colour.

I’ll start by saying it’s very, very luxy. Cire Trudon Candles, an in-house chef supplying anything you care to order from a healthy but interesting menu and a spacious marble effect interior. A giant bowl of Quality Street is also very tempting!

I think the colourist was slightly disappointed that I wouldn’t go permanent colour and I see why because the options are so much more limited with semi. However, I’m glad I stuck to my guns because the result is literally perfect. The thing about places built to make you fabulous is that you have to want to be fabulous while you’re there. I wanted a really basic tidy up trim and colour with none of the frills (such as bronze highlights, which was a suggestion) and therefore didn’t fully utilize the skills available – in other words, I didn’t bring my full fabulous to the table when it was there just waiting to be had.

My dry and trim with Lamphane was immaculate – he cuts dry so after a wash (no massage – I do not like a head massage) with the most lovely smelling shampoo (Exfoliating Scalp Shampoo HERE) and my hair was dried exactly as I like it – naturally sleek and not bouffy. You know you’re in the hands of experience when they know what to do without really having to ask. I did ask Lamphane whether mask wearing has been a problem because being able to see someone’s face surely must be helpful when cutting and he confirmed that it’s much easier without. The salon observes a level of social distancing that includes mask wearing which suits me fine although it does mean if you’re not seeing your regular hair stylist, it’s harder to establish a rapport with someone new. I think that was part of the colour problem – if the colourist can only see hair it’s very difficult to gauge skin tone and features and that matters. She had some wonderful ideas and I’d like her to have seen I was smiling as I said no to all of them!

I left with gorgeous, warm-brown (my old colour was more ashy) and shiny hair, as well as my streak of red renewed and revived. Part of the luxury experience is that you never feel rushed – while you are under the hands of the stylist, the colourist or the assistant, you have their entire focus. If you like your hair time pampering and relaxing this is the ultimate indulgence with an excess of fabulous to take home with you – in fact, don’t waste it by going straight home. A quick trim and colour is almost wasted here – because it’s all about the luxury, the personal treatment and the absolute treat of it all – the basics don’t play to the skills of the team who are all top of their game.

So, in short, a huge recommend for a pampering, I’m-worth-it, special experience that doesn’t skimp on time and ensures you leave feeling glamorous and delicious. I know you can wait longer between washes when you’ve been to the hairdresser because they wash so thoroughly but five days in and I am only just thinking about washing again. It’s still shiny, too. You can find Michael Van Clarke HERE. I am hearing nothing but great things about the newest product – LifeSaver Ultra Intense Pre-Wash Treatment – which I will test and then review separately. It’s a silicone free pre-shampoo treatment that contains a double repair complex. Extra shine and extra swish I am 100% on board for. It’s HERE.

 


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12 responses to “Michael Van Clarke Salon”

  1. Chrissie

    Oooh helloooo.. even more glamourouser Jane, such fabulous colour and the swooshisness is off the scale, you look goorgeous! I am booking myself in for a pamper session soon, been faar too long.
    Any salon that has that many Quality Streets and a nice menu on offer gets my vote.
    Have you been in Flannels before – I’d never heard of it until you mentioned it here – and would you recommend it as a beauty destination? Thank you xxx

    1. Jane Cunningham

      I haven’t yet been – there was a lot of PR at the time it launched but for some reason I didn’t get any details (I’ve got them now!) but I’ve yet to visit. I mean, it looks like it will be a good replacement for the beauty halls we have lost recently and they are bringing on some fabulous brands so in theory, yes. I’ll properly check out their website when I have a moment. x

      1. Chrisse

        Thank you Jane. Sounds very promising. I am missing a good beauty hall mooch and coming out with a purchase or 3, a gwp, my hands and wrists happily covered in swatches or clouds of new perfumes 🙂 Have a lovely day xxxx

        1. Jane Cunningham

          oh GWPs…. I miss those!

  2. Lynn

    Looks amazing. And great photo, even with the mask!

    1. Jane Cunningham

      thanks Lynn!

  3. I’ve been to the MVC Salon once and I didn’t want to leave, I felt like I was at home with friends, so relaxing and calm!

    1. Jane Cunningham

      I can’t believe I didn’t take a Quality Street when they were just THERE!!!

  4. Anna Van Munster

    Wow, definitely a good hair day (and some more days and weeks)! Love this on you – it’s very alive and shining! My hairdresser cuts perfectly but can not let me go without styling that I’m not keen on (I’m not into styling at all – not his fault that towel-dry + smallest dollop curl cream is my maximum), so I normally just let him do whatever he wants, jump my car and wash my hair in 15 min at home :). Also with coloring still need to find a place to go – there you can get basic advice (and I’m glad I did – since that time I do it myself with pro dye), but for some daring advanced something… disadvantages of small towns… But one day… 🙂 May be even in London, who knows? The world is small and corona won’t last forever.

    1. Jane Cunningham

      I often do it myself but must admit I would be very pushed to achieve this shade.

  5. Hannah

    I’m amazed you don’t like head massage – my favourite part by a country mile and I assumed it was universal!

    1. Jane Cunningham

      Nope – I find it so weird. Like, I don’t know you and yet here you are pummelling my head….

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